UNDICTATED: SA’s lost nuclear opportunity ready for comeback, can end blackouts
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 มิ.ย. 2024
- After being only the third nation on earth to identify nuclear power as a viable opportunity, South Africa’s record in this field has been a story of mostly highly destructive choices. But listening to Pretoria-based global nuclear expert Dr Kelvin Kemm, the sorry picture may change. In this episode of UNDICTATED, Kemm offers context into why nuclear went off the rails in SA - and why the country may finally be ready to cash in on its world-class expertise and in some areas, global leadership. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.
Video production by Asime Nyide
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Timestamps
00:08 - Introductions
01:32 - Dr Kelvin Kemm on the negativity surrounding Nuclear energy
05:05 - What happened to the Pebble Bed modular reactor
06:51 - Would Pebble bed have played a part in dealing with the ongoing loadshedding in the country
12:14 - Nuclear energy must have a part in SA’s energy future
16:00 - News about upgrading our nuclear plant
19:02 - How he’s company will benefit SA and others
26:32 - Conclusions
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Kelvin, Great presentation! I agree with all you say. I am a retired chemical engineer. In my early career I worked in the licensing branch at Pelindaba. This was before Koeberg had been built. It is fascinating how much less a nuclear power plant would cost to build then in the UK where I now live. In my retirement I have taken to giving physics lectures at the UCT summer school and to A level/matric students in SA and the UK. A couple of years ago I had a real run in with a qualified physicist (at one of her lectures) who had very strong green credentials. She was one of those who protested against new nuclear in SA. The argument was about the safety of pebble bed reactors. There was no way she was going to be convinced to change her mind! I shall be giving physics lectures to the summer school in January. I have been researching the whole CO2 hoax and am thinking of putting a lecture series together on Net Zero in 2025. I will definitely be recommending nuclear as a way forward in South Africa.
This guy fails to mention small modular reactors have been shelved because they are not financially viable. In the US one nuclear power station has been built since 1975. Nuclear energy is too expensive globally and is being shelved. There is no reason to take this guy seriously.
Why wait for 2025? Please record your lecturers on TH-cam in the meantime even if you don't publish them yet, but schedule them to be released when you have put together everything. Tomorrow is not promised
I am afraid that the opportunity to present anything will only come around in Jan 2025. Before I put anything on TH-cam I also want to be sure that I am not making any factual errors. @@SomethingNicewithDinano
@@roblouw1344 fair enough...all the best
Refreshing to hear something so positive
As a nuclear physics masters graduate, I would love to work in the Nuclear industry. Many of my class mates are in the same boat. I hope it will be implemented.
foreign founded green energy lobbyists will do everything in the power to stop any new build of nuclear or coal in South Africa, we're being held at ransom by these NGOs.
This was a wonderful watch I wish it was 2hrs long, and indeed SA has some of the best engineers in the world. It just looks like the government doesn’t have confidence in its own nation to compete globally. I mean even this 2.5GW to be built plant should be SA tech and not foreign one. But I guess in the future we will build our own. Those NGOs are the problem also.
Dr Kelvin Klemm expertise should be utilised to the fullest…..learned a lot more about nuclear in this interview and more imformed….thanks Alec
Pleased that Mr Hogg gave airtime to his guest.
He is did. But Hogg could not help his nefarious obsession with Zuma.
As long as it does not become a BBEEE thing! Or a govt thing...
Great talk, Kelvin is spot on, many of us have been in support of more Nuclear power stations for years.
Koeberg is still our most efficient power station and has just undergone upgrades and maintenance and will be good for a long time still.
The Net Zero rhetoric is falling apart all over the world people are waking up to the BS the comprehensive cost of all our battery technology is unfathomable and its more than 100x less efficient than fuel still.
2024 - Change leadership - build nuclear to create a surplus of cheap electricity!
BOOM we will have an economy that will just grow!
I cannot recall when last I watched a video on South Africa that was uplifting and left me with a feeling of pride and hope. Thank you for this
We have the best engineers lets encourage them to return home and help rebuild power generation in our country. The reason WHY South Africa was the second country in the world to have Nuclear power it began in 1948.
Thanks! The reality is we could cover the entire surface of the planet with renewable energy generation but it would never be enough to cover future demand. Nuclear has to be part of the equation
Did you hear that Portugal has run totally on renewable energy for a few days recently. That’s all electricity needed supplied by renewable energy. So it’s probably viably to use a mix of energy sources.
They don't have a steel industry, or nearly the size Mining plants or motor manufacturing as in SA - lovely place to go on holiday though - Stilbaai will also be able to run of Renewable energy!!
Imagine where South Africa would be today, if corrupt officials and crime were dealt with properly: #voteforchange2024
excellent
Fascinating. Really positive to hear of developments that are taking place in South Africa that are really "state of the art".
I love this, Alec was trying very much to be negative and this great South African Kelvin didn't have time to entertain his nonsense, kept on providing facts and a positive pathway for South Africa, what a great South African.
You're right. Nuclear is a must. Problem is, it will take 50 years to build with a ten digit price tag.
Easy peasy.
Good positive news FOR A CHANGE thankyou Kelvin
This makes one more sick of politicians and media!
Having recently watched the ARTE tv Documentary about Mayor Chris Pappas ( fluent in isiZulu) of uMngeni Municipality on TH-cam, there are still some decent and credible politicians left in SA!!
Thank you Alec for this most interesting interview. However, please follow up with your guest on an explanation of the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. It will be of great benefit to the naysayers in the comments section
Without doubt the most common sense I have heard in years. Pebble Bed and all the other non water dependant (for cooling not heat exchange) is the way forward, what people should take cognisance of is the 1970's motor car you drove around in would no longer be allowed to be p[produced for general road use.
Reactors and nuclear science has not been sitting idle, it like any other technology has evolved.
Probably time to start scrapping old 1960's reactors and building some more up to date kit.
Between squandered local excellence and unwaning local corruption, it is such a multi-generational set back and sad story. Not unique to South Africa, but most certainly turned up to 11 like so many other of SA's failings.
What an upbeat last 1/2 is the talk though.
Nuclear plants must only be run by the private sector as this will secure our economic future…..
You are trying to say it must be run by white people
These plants come with personel driving it. That's how Rosatom sell these plants, meaning a massive expenditure, with a steady outflow of capital funding another country's infrastructure for many yrs.
@@firstcomment749absolutely true, it sounds like we have the expertise and that expertise could be passed to the next generation and we have a hungry work force ready to go
And look at what the private sector [Murray & Roberts, Group 5] left on its own did to Kusile and Medupi, doing phucked up job then turn around blaming Black people who were no where near the construction of Medupi and Kusile. And you have your Media of course whose job is to absolve White people, cast them as victims of the Black government and phuck up again with impunity. Look at the whole Renewables gimmick, fracking of Karoo shale, stopping oil exploration in the West coast.
It is a pity that a wonderful project like the Nuclear project was subjected to the ANC politics aided by our media. We lost a big opportunity
There are so many capable people in SA, but who are not given the chance to contribute. If they were, the majority of the population would benefit.
I agree with nuclear energy being the way forward, provided it is built by private enterprise. If the ANC or Eskom is involved it will never get built because of plunder. The Ingula Project at De Beers pass was awarded to CMC an Italian concern, this became CMI when Imprigilio was brought in. Tendered at 6 billion rand, a five year project, for completion in 2012, only partially completed by 2020, and cost 18 billion 3 times as much. The compensation events only went the way of the contractor and massive wasted work was paid for against all logic.
France do the best small pebble bed reactors with recyclable uranium!
Northwood High had it's roots in Northlands Boys High
Can you please share evidence of the allegations stated in this interview of the wrong doing
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South Africa's early consideration of nuclear power is a direct consequence of General Smuts' being closely involved in Allied war planning. This was in turn due to his close friendship with Winston Churchill. Smuts would have had considerable insight regarding the implications of the atomic bombing of Japan
Alec, the audio sounds like you are in a tunnel. Perhaps audio is being captured by the computer mic instead of the close up mic.
Dream on, never going to happen. Money is gone
A positive change in government after next year's general election, will see confidence and investment flood back to SA in record time!!
So they've been talking to Middle Eastern royals and who flew into the Eastern Cape recently? Middle Eastern royals. Dare I ask if there's a connection..?
Rosatom - half the reactors were duds. I followed this story back in the 2010's.
Watching the comments here, I can bet there are a lot of "Zuma must fall" - Russia corruption baters that are happy with this interview mxm
IMO the move was not anti nuclear in RSA, the move was anti Russia.
False. You were hoodwinked by your Green lobby, anti-Zuma media and your Banks who wanted to make a killing profitting from solar and wind turbines.
Anti-Russia was used by your Media to kill off the nuclear power plant programme which would have been built by France and Russia (Russia is very very popular with Black South Africans).
Why are we discussing this.
Solar lights on telegram very Safe this morning saw what was happening here
Not if it is owned by Eskom.
Mario Hogg
Sorry but my trust in this country is lost prof me wrong I want to see first 😮
We lost an opportunity because of stupidity of opportunistic people when it was announced by Jacob Zuma
"And wind and solar has its place..."
No.
Ahem..."If...If's and But...Buts were Nuts we'd have a Party"... Hah. So as result:- "Never allow Someone to be your Priority, while allowing Yourself to be their Options". Mark Twain.
Thorium is the answer not nuclear
Thorium is essentially nuclear fuel:)
@@katlegosebopela1717 oh well done... Yes you are correct however it is safer and found in abundance all round the world .. mankind originally had the choice with ET. and the US president at the time wanted nuclear weapons which today is why we use nuclear instead of Thorium technology.. we must to back to drawing board and design with Thorium power stations
Tig torch inserts for welding........ I'm a bit concerned now.......
Who is going to operate these nuclear power plants? The people from Eskom?! God help us then!
Nuclear power for a stone age mentality. Yea right.
Who trusted Jacob Zuma ?
The vast majority of Black South Africans did and they still do. Look at the great job the Apartheid Spy is doing, Mr Ramadollar
So Zuma was correct
No, he wasn't. Zuma made sure experts in SA had no jobs...that was a lot of engineering companies contracted to Eskom, including revamping, partial rebuilds..installations..a lot of work was stopped so no maintenance...that was his way of using Eskom running costs for loot...the old man .
however, jz failed - he got this one out of ten only!
Zooma getting stopped was a blessing in disguise - he knew little abt reactors, ignored expertise available in SA + he did not shop around, with the economy, the poor + consumers biting the bullet to this day. This pebble bed initiative proves that SA will keep shooting itself in the foot, if local talent gets ignored. Eskom is a very expensive lesson not only for SA, but also for the anc.
The country could probably afford 1 of that expensive Russian reactors, if the guptas + political well connected were not showered with inflated state contracts, mines, Denel technology etc.
With new technology available, politicians not a buggerance factor, less corruption in + more eyes on procurement, SA has a better chance of getting the economy going again.
Nuclear energy = the cleanest, most offordable source of energy.
It needs to be remembered that storing of nuclear wast is a very long term project that needs to outlast our civilisation so that any future civilisation doesn’t open our tombs of nuclear wast. Many have been working on architecture and crazy projects that could be monuments that future civilisation won’t open. Have we ever found any ancient tombs that we haven’t forced our ways into or robbed?
Alec, you learned folks are wholly neglecting to appreciate your very own gaaavmint's true socialist character, their inabilities and agenda.
🤣
Get over it guys! SA will never have a first world electrical grid again! Or rail system, or ports, or roads, or military or..... ect. Just sit back and accept it or leave, and if you leave, remember it is because you are a racist!😂
And please leave. Australia is a great country. So is Canada, UK, and the Netherlands. Leave us alone.
Who is " us "? And who must leave? Come on, be specific, dont be half- ass about it when being racist...
Lol - it seems there are many sensitive people out there making assumptions on what has not been said. In the end SA is going to be the place to be - with all of the wars, politics and natural disasters. Our people are resilient we will eventually conquer our current politicians and majority parties. OHM (The Organic Humanity Movement) has a plan to change South Africa ; if you want to know more go to th-cam.com/users/TheOrganicHumanityMovement